The Snowy Scheme is a hydroelectricity and irrigation complex that was built between 1949-1974. The project cost $820 million dollars and employed over 100,000 people from 30 different countries. 70% of the workers were migrants and the official death toll sits at 121. 2% of the construction is visible above ground, with the majority of the work done underground.

The Snowy Scheme is an amazing feat of engineering and one of the largest public works projects ever undertaken in Australia.

Below we have a slideshow thanks to the National Archives of Australia showing some of the men, women and construction photos of the Snowy Scheme.

You can visit the National Archives of Australia page dedicated to the snowy scheme by clicking here